Rachael F. Goldberg

'Hurricane Diane' is a fun and thought-provoking production, though you’ll certainly have more fun if you don’t think too hard about the technicalities of the show itself. There’s a lot to enjoy, and a good takeaway message, and, sometimes, that’s enough for an enjoyable theatrical experience.

'Unseen' is a heartfelt and heartrending production that covers difficult topics, but somehow manages to leave the audience feeling hopeful. Mona Mansour's script is beautiful and poignant, and the team at Mosaic brings it to life with care, heart, and impressive artistry.

Avant Bard’s production of Julius Caesar is thoughtful, charming, and thoroughly entertaining. It’s well worth the trip over the river for Shakespeare fans and critics alike, and will hopefully change the way you view the classical figure and play that loom so large in our world.

Covering a topic as fraught as the US involvement in Afghanistan can be difficult and deeply painful, but Signature’s production of 'Selling Kabul' manages to be honest, unflinching, and compassionate without losing sight of who matters in its tale.

'Incognito' is a beautiful, thoughtful play, and Constellation Theatre Company’s production is brimming with passion and talent. We may not ever fully understand what makes us who we are, but the cast and creative team at Constellation have certainly figured out what makes a good show.

The phrase “Mandy Patinkin in Concert” should always draw audiences, but this particular 'Being Alive' tour is just a lovely and loving performance, and it’s one well worth seeing. Patinkin is pure joy on the stage, and the feeling is catching.

'Two Jews Walk into a War. . .' manages to only retread oft-explored grounds, and fails to even do so in a unique or particularly insightful way.

'Which Way to the Stage' is a love letter – to New York, to the theater world, and to friendship. It’s entertaining and engaging, thoughtful and packed with talent. It’s an incredible experience, made for all of us theater fanatics – and for anyone who just wants to have a wonderful time.

It’s clear that a tremendous amount of talent, effort, and care has gone into this telling of The Tempest, and those affiliated certainly deserve high praise. Do yourself a favor and go see this production.

'Intimate Apparel' is a fascinating look at an intriguing woman, time period, and world, but the production just didn’t meet the standards Theater J has set for itself over the years.

Cloud Gate Theatre of Taiwan’s '13 Tongues' is the perfect season starter for the Kennedy Center's wonderful international dance program.

Theater J's season opener, 'Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story' is both a story about refugees who fall in love and a love story to refugees.

'tempered' isn’t going to cure or remove your rage – it will still be there. But there’s something freeing about leaning into it, about sharing it through music and poetry, that makes carrying it much more bearable.

With a thoughtful, open message and strong technical elements, 'The Gate' is a nuanced and beautiful examination not just of the conflict in the Middle East, but also at how people relate to one another in big and small ways.

'Shakespeare in Love' may appeal to fans of the movie, but its convoluted plot and awkward presentation make this production one that is unlikely to earn new admirers. It can make for a fun night out, but isn’t a production I’d actively recommend prioritizing over others.

'Fires in the Mirror: Crown Heights, Brooklyn and Other Identities' is an intense, but fascinating portrait of community and identity, with a powerhouse creative team on and off the stage.

Overall, 'Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief' is a lackluster production. With so many better and more thoughtful options out there, this production doesn’t meet the standard I’ve come to expect of the DC theater scene’s forays into the Bard.

While this production of 'Carmen' is very traditional on its face, the thoughtfulness and sheer talent packed into this performance elevates it to something far more engaging, and absolutely enchanting. It’s more than worthy of audiences’ time, and hopefully WNO’s fresh interpretation will help audiences reconsider the true tragedy presented.

While ostensibly about grief and how we see the world, 'The Upstairs Department' is really more about the central sibling relationship, about how two people can drift apart and find their way back to each other along their journeys to better understand themselves.

'The Parable of the Sower' might be a bit too on-the-nose for some viewers, but it's a beautifully produced performance that showcases phenomenal talents while drawing necessary attention to key issues.